been traveling a bunch over the past two weeks and its hard to catch up with news. Was there every any press release on Forrest Whitley's latest injury?

He's quite a bit older now. People grow up. If he can help us win and the guys work out their differences behind the scenes, I'm cool with it.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Cody can play first base as well which is why the Astros are very interested.

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Is the first 2 months of this season the real Cody Bellinger? Or will the rest of the season be the Cody Bellinger of the past 2 years?

I'll wait until the ASB to see, but right now I'm a pretty strong no.

texasaggie2015 said:

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He's quite a bit older now. People grow up. If he can help us win and the guys work out their differences behind the scenes, I'm cool with it.

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This, And I can guarantee that Altuve would be the first to put a squash on any "hard feelings" and say let's get busy and win a championship.

The Astros have a dilemma for sure. They've still got a core of players good enough to win another WS, but will need help. They'll have to give up good prospects which will narrow their future window. We all know they can't or won't rely on big FA signings to make up the difference. The aren't like the Dodgers or Yankees, they really can't afford Abreu level mistakes.

Wabs said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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He's quite a bit older now. People grow up. If he can help us win and the guys work out their differences behind the scenes, I'm cool with it.

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This, And I can guarantee that Altuve would be the first to put a squash on any "hard feelings" and say let's get busy and win a championship.

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I don't doubt all the guys would work together well. This clubhouse is mature enough to handle any issues related to Cody.

The question on Cody is who is he? Is this just two good months and then he turns back into the pumpkin of the past 2 years? Or has he really turned it around.

If the answer is he's really turned it around, it's work the risk of inserting him into the clubhouse. If he's just Cinderella, it's not worth the risk to me.

Beat40 said:

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Wabs said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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He's quite a bit older now. People grow up. If he can help us win and the guys work out their differences behind the scenes, I'm cool with it.

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This, And I can guarantee that Altuve would be the first to put a squash on any "hard feelings" and say let's get busy and win a championship.

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I don't doubt all the guys would work together well. This clubhouse is mature enough to handle any issues related to Cody.

The question on Cody is who is he? Is this just two good months and then he turns back into the pumpkin of the past 2 years? Or has he really turned it around.

If the answer is he's really turned it around, it's work the risk of inserting him into the clubhouse. If he's just Cinderella, it's not worth the risk to me.

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Impossible to know. It would be a calculated risk certainly. I mean I wouldn't overpay for him. The deal would need to be right and make the risk worth taking.

I think some of the bats were discussing aren't going to ruin our prospect pool. We might not even need to give up a prospect if we're giving up someone like Chas. I promise you 3.5 years of control for Chas getting part pre arb and arb money is more valuable than 0.5 of Belli at 17.5 prorated.

Just when we were gunna write off Pedro. I believe someone even said he didn't have an trade value. He goes out there and shows he's got a little something something going on.

Pedro León last 25 games in Triple-A:

.290 BA/.365 OBP/.591 SLG, 7 2B, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 5 SB#Astros #Ready2Reign

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) June 8, 2023

Never thought I'd say this but I'd be happy with Bellinger. I think since Correa is gone the clubhouse tension wouldn't be as bad.

Plus we need him

Farmer1906 said:

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I think some of the bats were discussing aren't going to ruin our prospect pool. We might not even need to give up a prospect if we're giving up someone like Chas. I promise you 3.5 years of control for Chas getting part pre arb and arb money is more valuable than 0.5 of Belli at 17.5 prorated.

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Correct. Most of the guys will be free agents at the end of the year and play on non-contending teams. They'll be looking to just get something for them. Will they be cheap? Maybe not. There will be a bidding war. But they won't drain the prospect pool either.

Also- the Astros have a lot of international guys who won't be in the spotlight as far as prospect rankings go. Think Framber, Javier, etc. There's a few guys (like 18 year old Kenni Gomez) who don't get any national attention but some in the organization see him as the best player in the farm system... even better than Drew Gilbert.

Anyway.. all that to say the farm system is a little better than most think. It's definitely not what it was a few years ago, but there's still plenty of talent down there.

That trade simulator thing said Chas for Bellinger and Happ would be accepted.

Think they said 3-4 months with a lat issue?

Check-in on the OF crops.

1. Drew Gilbert, 22, L/L (A+, AA)
.296 / .393 / .497 / .890
He has been playing through an injury and it looks like he's struggled in AA due to it.

2. Jacob Melton, 22, L/L (A+)
.238 / .356 / .408 / .765
A little disappointing so far. Ashville #s are usually inflated.

3. Colin Barber, 22, L/L (AA)
.240 / .367 / .388 / .756
Hit a cold spell after a red-hot start.

4. Ryan Clifford, 19, L/L (A, A+)
.277 / .408 / .447 / .855
He hasn't torn up A+ quite like A yet, but this may be my favorite prospect. Can play 1B too.

6. Pedro Leon, 25, R/R (AAA)
.258 / .333 / .474 / .807
The reason I decided to check on everyone. He's hot. Tools for days. K% still worries me though. Could be a potential call-up if he keeps it up.

7. Justin Dirden, 25, L/R (AAA)
.271 / .337 / .464 / .801
The spring training darling started slow but got hot in May. Might be a good trade chip IMO.

17. Kenni Gomez, 18, L/R (Rookie)
.250 / .333 / .625 / .958 (only 2 games)
Signed him as a 16-year-old Cuban. Can't tell much yet, but I think he's very well thought of. Maybe 2015 can advise.

I think 2024-25 is more when we start to see some of these guys break through. Not the 18/19-year-olds, but everyone else should be on the table. Anyone we go out and get is likely just a 1-2 year fill in.

Wabs said:

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That trade simulator thing said Chas for Bellinger and Happ would be accepted.

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Happ would be awesome, but he just got paid. I don't think the Cubs want him sell him off.

I didn't realize Leon is the same age as Yordan.

Farmer1906 said:

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17. Kenni Gomez, 18, L/R (Rookie)
.250 / .333 / .625 / .958 (only 2 games)
Signed him as a 16-year-old Cuban. Can't tell much yet, but I think he's very well thought of. Maybe 2015 can advise.

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Yep, like I said above there's some guys in the organization who feel he has the highest ceiling of every prospect in the farm system. Johnny Damon with more pop is the description I was given. He's considered untouchable.

Did you realize that Blanco is older than McCullers?

Jason Heyward and George Springer being the same age always screws with me. I feel like Heyward has been around much longer.

Soto is in his 6th year and is the same age as Yainer and Hunter.

Dang. Really? Wow!

is Bellinger healthy?

he's been on the IL since he got hurt at MMP back on May 15th

He's about to start a rehab assignment soon

new gameday kicks anyone?

I'm guessing Bagwell's one acquisition (Abreu$) has ended his input about personnel